Zika Virus Detected In Seminole County, Florida
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A public health emergency, declared by Florida Governor Rick Scott earlier this month, was extended to all counties where the Zika virus has been detected. Florida's Surgeon General extended that public health emergency to Seminole County on Tuesday.
Seminole County's Office of Emergency Management is encouraging its residents to visit www.prepareseminole.com for the latest Zika virus information in Seminole County.
The Zika virus is spread by bites from two mosquito species: Aedes aegypti (primarily) and Aedes albopictus, both found in Florida. Although local transmissions have not occurred in the Sunshine State, local transmissions are possible if a Zika infected visitor or returning traveler is bitten by Florida mosquitoes that then spread the virus to other people they bite. In addition to the Zika virus, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can also transmit dengue fever, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, and Yellow Fever.
According to the CDC, babies born with the Zika virus transmitted from their mothers who contracted the disease while pregnant have developed microcephaly - a disease which causes the babies' brains and heads to shrink. Maternal-fetal transmission of Zika virus has been documented throughout pregnancy and pregnant women can be infected with Zika virus in any trimester.
Florida Governor Rick Scott directed the State Surgeon General to activate a Zika Virus Information Hotline for current Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future. The number for the Zika Virus Information Hotline is 1-855-622-6735.
Seminole County's Office of Emergency Management is encouraging its residents to visit www.prepareseminole.com for the latest Zika virus information in Seminole County.
The Zika virus is spread by bites from two mosquito species: Aedes aegypti (primarily) and Aedes albopictus, both found in Florida. Although local transmissions have not occurred in the Sunshine State, local transmissions are possible if a Zika infected visitor or returning traveler is bitten by Florida mosquitoes that then spread the virus to other people they bite. In addition to the Zika virus, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can also transmit dengue fever, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, and Yellow Fever.
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| Aedes aegypti mosquito. Credit: University of Florida Entomology & Nematology |
Florida Governor Rick Scott directed the State Surgeon General to activate a Zika Virus Information Hotline for current Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future. The number for the Zika Virus Information Hotline is 1-855-622-6735.
Florida counties where the Zika virus has been detected as of February 23, 2016:
County
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Number of Cases (all travel related)
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Alachua
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1
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Brevard
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1
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Broward
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4
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Hillsborough
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3
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Lee
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3
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Miami-Dade
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11
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Orange
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2
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Osceola
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1
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Santa Rosa
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1
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Seminole
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1
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St. Johns
|
1
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Total
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29
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